The Cute Predator When Good Seals Go Bad While National Geographic Photographers Are Just Trying To Do Their Jobs
Paul Nicklen was tasked by National Geographic to snap some photographs of leopard seals. These cute-looking creatures are actually the most vicious when it comes to seals. And they do not take kindly to the humans interaction, either. Still, Paul was excited to get a close up view of these aquatic mammals. He never expected things to get so weird on his venture, however. Do not mistake these cuddly-looking fellows for a joke, however, as they are enormous. They can reach heights of 10 feet and weights of 1,300 pounds! The elephant seal and the walrus are the only two creatures which can outgrow this pinniped
Hear Me Roar
These deceptively sweet mammals have attacked people plenty of times in the past. Paul was, admittedly, rather uncomfortable being charged with getting up close and personal with the brutes while diving around their habitats. It took all the National Geographic veteran’s nerves to steel himself for this job.
Hear Me Roar
Not His First Rodeo
Although Paul had spent much time with unpredictable animals, he always maintained the right level of caution while around them. So, how did his initial date with the leopard seals go?
Not His First Rodeo
Terror
“I slipped into the water, terrified of what might happen, and I swam up to this leopard seal,” Paul recounted on his first meeting. “My legs were shaking, I had dry mouth…” How did he survive this one?
Terror
Under Attack
The leopard swallowed Paul’s head and camera whole, puffing herself up with a defensive stance. He continued by saying that things took an incredible turn after that.
Under Attack
Gratitude
The leopard seal rushed to fetch Paul a living penguin, which she then began trying to turn into a dinner date for Paul! He was blown away. Had he just been honored with a peace offering from the animal?
Gratitude
Massive
When the seal tossed the penguin aside, she sauntered up to Paul with her jaws wide open. During this period, Paul was well-aware that his camera and his life could have been torn away from him if the seal so wished. Her head was double the size of that of a grizzly bear… titanic!
Massive
Irritation
Paul then described how, “She kept letting these live penguins go and the penguin would shoot past me and she’d look disgusted as she’d go by me. She did this over and over…” The seal was clearly frustrated that Paul was not accepting her gift!
Irritation
Maternal Instincts
It is clear that there was some kind of mother and son bond forming between the seal and the photographer. The penguin situation only intensified when the maternal seal began offering weaker specimens to Paul, before providing him with a lesson in leopard seal table manners while providing half-digested penguins to him.
Maternal Instincts
Jaws
The leopard seal proceeded to shove penguins in Paul’s camera lens, believing it to be his mouth. The awkward dating continued for a total of four days.
Jaws
Incompetent
This wasn’t the end of the situation, however, as Paul believed that the leopard had decided that he was an incompetent hunter. He was bound to die from hunger if she did not nurture him herself!
Incompetent
Timeless Experience
This is the kind of situation which stays with a person for life. Paul had arrived in Antarctica believing that he was about to enter a snowy lion’s den. Instead, he was welcomed in with loving affection and care. It is not often an apex predator takes you in as one of their own!
Timeless Experience
Taking Chances
“It was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had as a National Geographic photographer,” said Paul. National Geographic is well-known for providing photographers with unique experiences. Let us investigate some other phenomenal moments in wildlife photography!
Taking Chances
Sunday Drive
This next story took place in Mizerna, a Polish area. In the picture, you can see the annual cattle drive which pursues close to one million animals returning to farmlands following a fattening summer spent grazing throughout the alpine zones. Although such events are followed by plenty of chaos, the driver in question seems quite oblivious to the situation!
Sunday Drive
Pals For Life
Cubs are particularly energetic little bundles of fur, being especially playful. The small rascals were spotted by Lake Clark National Park in Soldotna, Alaska. It seems like these babies are better accustomed to relaxation and feasting. We wouldn’t blame the photographer for thinking of kidnapping one for himself!
Pals For Life
Tireless Dedication
No, this is not some half-lion, half-man monstrosity, it is a laborer in Dhaka hauling a massive jute bale. Take our word for it. Jute is a durable material implemented in the production of rope.
Tireless Dedication
Teething Issues
If you thought kids were hard to raise, imagine baby lions! These adorable monsters in the Tanzanian Serengeti are busy trying out their new fangs. Unfortunately, mom is the target. We commend her patience, motherhood is no easy task.
Teething Issues
Automobile Graveyard
If you ever wondered where your beloved first car went to rest when your relationship was over, feast your eyes on this collection! This Californian car depot is where Volkswagens and Audi go when they are decommissioned. In this case, countless cars were recalled when a widespread issue involving “inaccurate emissions” came about. The result was this humongous dumping ground located in the Mojave Desert
Automobile Graveyard
Humiliation
A bear will always eagerly chase salmon, their notoriously favored food. Fishing in such chaotic rivers is no easy task, however, and bears are clearly prone to taking a tumble. Don’t worry about this poor fellow, he was back in action as soon as his friend stopped laughing.
Humiliation
Romanian Wrangler
Romania is blessed with an abundance of cultures, such as the Carpathians, whose shepherds like Nea Dan of the Bran Village never falter in their herding duties. Super woolly coats like these will keep you warm anywhere in the world.
Romanian Wrangler
Feeding Frenzy
Welcome back to Tanzania, where one popular children’s game found its inspiration. Hippos are incredibly aggressive and lethal animals, and getting in the way of their food is a phenomenal way to serve as an appetizing starter.
Feeding Frenzy
They’ve Got A Ticket To Ride
Trains in India are infamous for being overloaded, and this Dhaka locomotive is no different. This is the price that people in such an emerging economy pay to make a living. In this case, however, these folks are headed for an Eid-al-Fitr celebration to be enjoyed with loved ones. Still, we cannot deny that this looks like a thrilling experience!
Theyve Got A Ticket To Ride
Bullheaded
Looking at this photo, it is no mystery why the American Bison is a figure of determination and endurance for Americans. This Montana scene proves that such creatures are unbeatable, even with crushing snowfall and temperatures of -15 degrees.
Bullheaded
Curiosity
This child seems to be completely taken by whoever is photographing her, perhaps seeing such an object (and person) for the first time in her life. Her Indonesian elders seem very protective over her, but her interest cannot be halted.
Curiosity
Top-Deck
Elephants love swimming, and this photograph was taken at the perfect moment when one fine Tanzanian specimen had just emerged. The halved shades of the beautiful elephant are made even more significant by her having just reached the halfway mark in her journey back home.
Top Deck
Honored Traditions
Eagle hunting is a Mongolian tradition which has been maintained for countless generations among men. Here we have Aigerim, a youthful huntress out of the Altai Mountain, who showed the men that women are just as capable as they are.
Honored Traditions
Snowfall
This photo was captured at Hokkaido’s Blue Pond. Yes, it is indeed a real life photo, with no digital editing. The pond, however, was created by humans, being an artificial body of water made to stop Mt. Tokachi from muddying the connected river. This pond was completely frozen throughout the wintery season which this photographer visited during
Snowfall
Nature’s Ferocity
This is one elemental masterpiece of a photography. The juxtaposition of the beautiful starry night with the explosive volcano makes for a dramatic wonder of a photograph. The lightning here is a result of superheated lava plumes mingled with the winter chill. Head to Colima, Mexico to witness such a sight!
Natures Ferocity
There Is Always A Bigger Fish
It’s eat or be eaten out in the wild, and the aquatic world is no different, as shown as this poor grouper from the Philippines island, Anilao. Do not feel too bad for the little would-be meal, as he managed to struggle out of the lizard fish’s jaws soon following this amazing snap. Tragically, the little fish was soon munched when a snapper happened to pass by.
There Is Always A Bigger Fish
Riders On The Storm
No, this isn’t the cover of a certain The Doors album. This is pure skillful photography, mixed with the perfect weather, lighting, and shading. These Tanzanian wildebeest are galloping for freedom while making it through the turbulent Mara River. This is the kind of photograph which warrants plenty of scrutiny.
Riders On The Storm
Dirt Bath
Elephants need to chill out from time to time in the sweltering African heat. There is no better way to do this than by taking a dust shower. By caking themselves in earth, these noble giants can protect themselves from the midday sun, as well as from mosquitos. Highly recommended!Welcome to Rift Valley, Kenya, where predator chases prey at high speeds. It may look like this gazelle fawn is about to meet a tragic end, but the wild is filled with unexpected turns. The dead-set cheetah ended up having a playdate with the fawn prior to letting her go!
Dirt Bath
The Emperor’s New Skin
Chameleons shed their skin a lot less gracefully than snakes. While snakes will strip off their skins like a pair of tights, a chameleon’s outer layer flakes off. Looks much easier to manage than the arduous stripping process that snakes need to endure, however.
The Emperors New Skin